"I truly needed a fresh start" – Jonas Vingegaard is on a mission to avoid burnout with a revamped Grand Tour schedule...
As the team Visma-Lease a Bike gears up for an ambitious 2026 season, Jonas Vingegaard's participation in the Giro d'Italia-Tour de France double has been meticulously planned based on data-driven strategies. Yet, the Danish cyclist also emphasizes the importance of embracing a sense of "new energy," which plays a significant role in his decision to shift his racing approach.
Since he emerged as a serious contender for the general classification (GC) in the Tour de France back in 2021, Visma has consistently followed a winning formula: a high-altitude training camp, followed by participation in the Critérium du Dauphiné, another altitude camp, and then tackling the Tour. This routine has been repeated in four of the last five seasons, with the only deviation occurring in 2024 due to his recovery from an injury. Vingegaard's impressive record includes two Tour victories in 2022 and 2023, where he outpaced his main rival, Tadej Pogačar, and consistently finished second in other appearances. So, what prompted this change in strategy?
In a relaxed atmosphere while speaking in La Nucia, Vingegaard appeared rejuvenated by his new racing calendar. He expressed confidence that competing—and hopefully succeeding—in the Giro will positively influence his performance in the Tour, especially after facing tough defeats against Pogačar in the past two seasons.
Understanding Burnout
Vingegaard touched upon Simon Yates’ unexpected retirement from competitive cycling, noting how Yates “lost his motivation.” He resonated with this sentiment, admitting, "I've also felt close to burning out," reflecting on his own experiences when struggling to regain motivation during challenging times in his career.
The term 'burnout' was a recurrent theme during Visma's media day. Vingegaard recognizes the reality of this issue, and it appears to be a critical consideration in their planning for the upcoming season in 2026.
"Cycling is incredibly demanding, and discussions surrounding burnout are particularly relevant now because we constantly push ourselves to the utmost limits," he explained. "With all the altitude training camps and the pressure to be race-ready at all times, there's no longer the luxury of arriving at a race just to get into shape; now, the expectation is to win right from the start."
He added, "This increased pressure affects all riders. For me, it’s vital to pay attention to who I am as a person and understand my needs. My wife has been instrumental in this process, helping me navigate these feelings."
Vingegaard acknowledged that articulating his needs has not always been easy for him, which partly explains the struggles he faced. However, he is now aware that if he does not address these feelings, burnout could become inevitable. "I realized I needed to say, 'Maybe we should try something different.' This is a conversation I’ve had with my team, and we reached a mutual agreement on it."
With these adjustments in mind, Vingegaard is setting his sights on joining an elite group of cyclists in May and July—one that includes his childhood idol, Alberto Contador. Achieving this goal would not only put him ahead of Pogačar but also allow him to accomplish something unique in his professional journey. Yet, it’s not the allure of making history or being the first since Chris Froome that drives the Dane.
"It’s not about being the first of my generation. We all know Tadej will achieve that sooner or later," he stated. "What matters more to me is the ability to actually claim victory in all three races."
As he reflects on his career, Vingegaard acknowledges, "I’m already 29 years old, and I don’t have another decade ahead of me. I need to seize the opportunity to excel while I’m at my best, and I genuinely feel that I am currently at my peak level, so this is the right time to pursue that ambition."
James Moultrie, a highly regarded NCTJ journalist, became part of the Cyclingnews team as a News Writer in 2023 after eight months of freelance contributions. His prior experience includes covering events like Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d’Italia Donne for Eurosport and conducting interviews with top athletes in the sport such as Chloé Dygert, Lizzie Deignan, and Wout van Aert. When he’s not immersed in cycling, he enjoys following a variety of sports, including rugby, football, cricket, and American football.
